I'm new to these types of pumps. Iv been reading trying to catch up. Would someone be kind enough to suggest a model CP pump that would suite my needs. what specific information would I need to know to pick a pump? I just bought a new LifeReef calcium reactor and AP elec reg. I need to stay below $500
Official: Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup Thread
- Thread starter tkeracer619
- Start date
Uncle Luke
Active member
Try to look for a digital one as they tend to be quieter. You should not have much of a problem finding one with a $500 budget.
To me, it seems like there is a bunch of different models with very different prices lol! I know enough to know this is an upgrade worth the coin but I don't know what I should be looking for.
something like this one?
http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/M..._flow_variable_speed_drive_12_VDC/EW-77200-12
something like this one?
http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/M..._flow_variable_speed_drive_12_VDC/EW-77200-12
Uncle Luke
Active member
I would NOT buy that pump. Look for a used one on eBay digital with a easy load head and buy the compatable tubing from US plastics. The good used one is bulletproof - you don't have to buy a new one.
There is nothing wrong with those, they are the right range of flow rates, and adjustable speed, just pick model with the tubing size you need.
If you were, going to buy a new one, those are nice and compact and about as good as you'll get for under $500.
The digital controls on the used pumps are very nice though since you could set the exact flow you want. They can usually be found for around $300 as of late.
I just picked up a kangaroo epump for my K2R calcium reactor. I struggled last time I had it hooked up with constantly plugging the needle valve on the effluent output.
Hoping this will solve that issue. My plan is to have the pump pull the effluent instead of running a feed pump. I also have an aquarium plants electronic solenoid. So this should give me rock solid parameters I'm hoping.
Hoping this will solve that issue. My plan is to have the pump pull the effluent instead of running a feed pump. I also have an aquarium plants electronic solenoid. So this should give me rock solid parameters I'm hoping.
tkeracer619
New member
I think the kangaroo will do something like 6.67ml/min max. That may be enough for your 60g.
Did you get the pump used? Could you post some pics of the roller mechanism and housing?
Did you get the pump used? Could you post some pics of the roller mechanism and housing?
gdemos
New member
Help me dial-in & source the right Masterflex
Help me dial-in & source the right Masterflex
tkeracer, here's one for you, maybe better as a PM so my apologies in advance:
I am running 2 CaCO3 reactors:
DT: CR5000D, 3/8" Effluent and Intake
Frag: CR1000D 1/4" Effluent and Intake
Like many, my effluent rate is ok, but not perfectly stable so I am researching the Masterflex. Example last night i ran at 22 mL/min, this morning it was at 13 mL/min.
The CO2 tanks (two tanks) with Pinpoint Regulators are controlled by Apex:
ON at pH>6.7, OFF at pH<6.5, OFF if Aquarium pH<8.1
CO2 tanks are in another closet:
Frag Ca Reactor is approx 25' run away from the CO2 tank
DT Ca Reactor is 5' away from CO2 tank.
I know you prefer to use the controller as a safety, i.e., have the CO2 Solenoid always ON. Yet i've also read here that doing so is a tough/unatainable balance. So I will try to get the pH of the Reactors perfect but not optimistic.
Perhaps due to the distance of the FRAG Ca Reactor, I have challenges with the CO2 line (some bends, no visable kinks) producing enough gas to the reactor to keep the pH constant therefore allowing me to run the FRAG system with an 'always on' CO2 load... maybe over time it will balance? Currently I'm at 60 bpm on the FRAG CO2 bubble count (at the Pinpoint Regulator bubble counter - bubble counter on Reactors seem hokey so i dont go by it).
So, first question: is it realistic for me to expect to have the CO2 solenoid 'Always On'.
Second question: Help me source the right paristaltic: I'd like to get one Masterflex to run both reactors, i prefer brushless and digital. will the 7523-60 fit the bill? How do i configure it to run two systems (each with independent effluent rates, intakes, etc.)?
Third question: you mention changing the tubing frequently, every 3 months or so...I assume you mean the tubing in the actual pump head not the full effulent line --- or is it all one line?
Thanks for your help, really appreciated!!!
Help me dial-in & source the right Masterflex
tkeracer, here's one for you, maybe better as a PM so my apologies in advance:
I am running 2 CaCO3 reactors:
DT: CR5000D, 3/8" Effluent and Intake
Frag: CR1000D 1/4" Effluent and Intake
Like many, my effluent rate is ok, but not perfectly stable so I am researching the Masterflex. Example last night i ran at 22 mL/min, this morning it was at 13 mL/min.
The CO2 tanks (two tanks) with Pinpoint Regulators are controlled by Apex:
ON at pH>6.7, OFF at pH<6.5, OFF if Aquarium pH<8.1
CO2 tanks are in another closet:
Frag Ca Reactor is approx 25' run away from the CO2 tank
DT Ca Reactor is 5' away from CO2 tank.
I know you prefer to use the controller as a safety, i.e., have the CO2 Solenoid always ON. Yet i've also read here that doing so is a tough/unatainable balance. So I will try to get the pH of the Reactors perfect but not optimistic.
Perhaps due to the distance of the FRAG Ca Reactor, I have challenges with the CO2 line (some bends, no visable kinks) producing enough gas to the reactor to keep the pH constant therefore allowing me to run the FRAG system with an 'always on' CO2 load... maybe over time it will balance? Currently I'm at 60 bpm on the FRAG CO2 bubble count (at the Pinpoint Regulator bubble counter - bubble counter on Reactors seem hokey so i dont go by it).
So, first question: is it realistic for me to expect to have the CO2 solenoid 'Always On'.
Second question: Help me source the right paristaltic: I'd like to get one Masterflex to run both reactors, i prefer brushless and digital. will the 7523-60 fit the bill? How do i configure it to run two systems (each with independent effluent rates, intakes, etc.)?
Third question: you mention changing the tubing frequently, every 3 months or so...I assume you mean the tubing in the actual pump head not the full effulent line --- or is it all one line?
Thanks for your help, really appreciated!!!
Attachments
gdemos
New member
I'll also add that I had a tough time purging air out of the system upon setup.
I used small power heads on the intake to push through, with effluent wide open.
I did this for a couple hours then terminated the power head once i seemed to purge all air.
So as is I'll have to do this everytime i change media...
is it true that the paristaltic pulling on the effluent will eliminate the need for the power head all together?
I used small power heads on the intake to push through, with effluent wide open.
I did this for a couple hours then terminated the power head once i seemed to purge all air.
So as is I'll have to do this everytime i change media...
is it true that the paristaltic pulling on the effluent will eliminate the need for the power head all together?
hkgar
Active member
Like you I run my have the Apex controller, and before reading this thread I thought you needed to set the controller to turn on and off the regulator. It took a littl bit of time but by adjusting the bubble rate and bubble size I have been able to keep the reactor pretty steady at 6.6 ph. It does float up and down around that point but not more then a couple of hundredths of a point. The effluent rate can also influence the reactor ph, i.e. increasing the effuent rate will increase the reactor ph. I also use the Aquarium Plants regulator - highly recommended.
I use the Cole Parmer Masterflex 7520-50 with a 7518-00 ez load head. I use a short piece of Phar med tubing (l17) and connect it to the line from the tank and the line to the reactor. I really don't think you need to change it mor than once every 6 months or so.
Although you can use multiple heads on a Masterflex pump, you cannot set the rpm's individually so they both turn at the same speed. You could, conceivably, control two different effluent rates with different ID tubing. I think it would be difficult at best to run two reactors with different effluent rates from one pump.
tkeracer619
New member
Not sure how I missed that but thank you for the kind words! They are appreciated
@gdemos
The 5' run should be of no concern as that really isn't that far and theoretically it shouldn't really matter with the long one either but If it were me I would remove the solenoid or AP control box from the regulator and using a 25' cutting hose I would install the solenoid by the reactor. If you have the aquarium plants regulator there is no reason to control it with a ph probe. What you read is an assumption based on a defective regulator and hasn't shown to be true and in fact the several years I have used this setup suggests leaving the regulator always on is the way to go. Of course if your regulator solenoid cannot take a constant duty cycle then you will need to use the ph probe/controller. The PH is going to change when setup this way over time, that is the intention. If effluent never changes and ph never changes you will not compensate for dissolved media and will need to adjust the reactor for both increase in demand and media level. Simply putting a peristaltic on the effluent and controlling the ph is fine, it will make it a lot more stable, it won't be as good as the reactor tuned without a ph probe and left always on. As there is less media to dissolve the controller will need to deliver less gas to keep the ph stable effectively reducing the output.
You will change only a short section of tubing. Maybe 6-8 inches at a time and will use a hard poly tube for the rest of the way. Any long run should use 3/8 poly tubing.
As mentioned here and in our pm you can potentially use a single pump with different tubing but it will make tuning a bit more challenging.
We can get rid of your air pocket issue. No worries there.
Last edited:
tkeracer619
New member
I'm working on it, give me another month and I should have some updates.
tkeracer619
New member
Cool! Did the air pocket issue show its face or did the masterflex take care of it?
Now that its up for 2 days any updates?
Now that its up for 2 days any updates?
gdemos
New member
My two reactors, mfg by reef octopus models 1000D and 5000D both have a recirculating line that basically sucks from the top of the chamber and the water blaster pumps recirc to push the water to the bottom of the chamber. I have since terminated this recirc on both reactors and air pockets are no longer an issue. Effectively that recirc which I believe to be unnecessary was chopping up any air in the reactors and acted as a source of additional air. Even with the Masterflex at 600 rpm and/or feeding the reactors with a maxijet, the air would not purge entirely (and I ran it wide open in this fashion for an hour plus)
So my Masterflex is now running at 125 mL/min on my little 75g frag system and I think something is not right.
My tests range from 390-400 ppm Ca and 9-10.3 dKH. I started out at 70 mL/min and now up to 125! I know I've got a huge demand in this system but this is a lot.
My effluent tests at 440ppm and 15.7 dKH. LOWER than I thought. So I'm wondering if the CO2 rate is an issue. controlling with apex probes I'm running between 6.5, 6.7. And my solenoid on/off cycles maybe 5x per day.
Should I run the reactor at a lower pH?
So my Masterflex is now running at 125 mL/min on my little 75g frag system and I think something is not right.
My tests range from 390-400 ppm Ca and 9-10.3 dKH. I started out at 70 mL/min and now up to 125! I know I've got a huge demand in this system but this is a lot.
My effluent tests at 440ppm and 15.7 dKH. LOWER than I thought. So I'm wondering if the CO2 rate is an issue. controlling with apex probes I'm running between 6.5, 6.7. And my solenoid on/off cycles maybe 5x per day.
Should I run the reactor at a lower pH?
tkeracer619
New member
Yea, I usually start at about 30ml per minute. I would run it lower 6.3-6.5.
What media are you using?
Can you post some pics?
What media are you using?
Can you post some pics?
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